[Exclusive Interview] Beckwith 01 Remixed and Revealed

As a child, Paul Beckwith’s love affair with music began playing the piano, guitar, and drums, but he was always searching for the next song or gadget to progress his experiments with sound. After hearing House music at a warehouse party in Brooklyn in his teenage years, Paul became obsessed with this new world of sounds and his hunger for electronic musical development led him to Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he was able to define and refine his abilities to create music interweaving underground beats with soaring pop vocals, and complex instrumental arrangements.

Beckwith’s wide array of sounds and projects caught our attention long ago and we have been following this diverse artist closely. We had the awesome opportunity to sit down with him and learn more about his recently released compilation “Bekwith 01 Remixed”…listen and read on below to discover more about this ground-breaking Deep House artist.

SBB: It is no secret that we are one of your biggest fans. We think that your music is the most promising and profound sound in dance music today. Tell us about your inspirations and your musical background that has shaped the pure music you create today.

Beckwith: I’ve been a lifelong musician, but didn’t get into House Music until 1999. My inspiration I usually try to just draw from my daily life, to make honest music. I think the most important thing in music is that its honest – with that honesty you connect with people better.

SBB: Your recent album “Beckwith 01 Mixed” is an absolute masterpiece. What are your personal favorite tracks on the compilation?

Beckwith: That’s a really hard one to be honest, as every single record on there is one of my children…If I had to pick I’d say I really love Craymal, Seven Olives, End of Brooklyn, and Townsend Sling are my faves.

SBB: You call yourself the Deep House Solider, but we’d like to formally change your title to the Deep House KING. Who would you consider the leader in the Deep House space right now?

Beckwith: *laughs… If its alright with you can I stay at the Soldier level? Honestly I’ve never felt too comfortable standing apart from the crowd. I like to be among the people! Perhaps that’s why I like DJ booths that are level with the dance floor rather than elevated. As far as the leader in Deep House that’s really a no brainer. Dusky are at the top of their game and leading everyone. Nuff said.

SBB: We can’t stop bumping your guest mix for Episode 40 of Above & Beyond’s Group Therapy radio…how did you go about compiling your mix? Was it surreal playing on ABGT?

Beckwith: It was pretty surreal having a mix on the second largest radio show on Earth. Basically what I did is collect my favorite records that I had produced. I produced a special downtempo intro for Back to Love because I wanted the kids to hear something new, and I also made the worldwide debut of my peacemaker project remix. I threw in Jody’s remix of Coming For You because it’s just such an ill track, and then I closed out with Music Sounds Better With You. This is my absolute all-time favorite record…I had been waiting YEARS to use it in a radio show, and I figured, what better time than now?

SBB: No doubt! We absolutely loved all your guest mix selections. How does it feel to be part of the Anjunadeep family?

Beckwith: In a word? Phenomenal. In this day and age of digital downloads and fly by night labels I’m very lucky to have a label home that not only is competent, but also nurtures a family environment. Recently I had a chance to meet the whole staff when I played in London and it confirmed my suspicions… They are a group of people with great hearts and are deadly smart. A lot of labels these days just try to sign a hit or two from someone and then discard them. Anjunadeep has an amazing A&R staff that focuses very hard on developing their artists, and making sure that we can all move forward together. Then of course there are those opportunities like my first gig opening for Above and Beyond at the Roseland Ballroom… You know… No big deal! Honestly I couldn’t be happier with my label family, and they really do feel like family to me.

SBB: We are so glad to hear that you’re surrounded by such a supportive team that will nurture your blossoming artistry. Do you have plans to go on tour in 2014?

Beckwith: There may be something in the works! I can’t quite announce anything yet but I can say I’ll be playing the We Are FSTVL outside of London in May! We’ll see what happens around then….

SBB: We love listening to your simple and smooth tunage while sipping cocktails… what is your drink of choice? A martini, up, dry, extra dirty with Seven Olives perhaps?

Beckwith: Actually, that’s my wife’s drink! I’m a big fan of a good Manhattan on the rocks, or an excellent glass of Bordeaux. Also you can’t forget an 18 year old neat Scotch…..

SBB: Our motto is “Life Is Too Short For Bad Music”, what is a motto that you live by?

Beckwith: “Its not coal mining” – In other words, if you’re feeling down…. Remember it could always be worse!

SBB: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Beckwith: My dream goal? Would be to be doing well enough that my wife and I could tour the world on someone else’s dime doing shows. Could you imagine anything more fun?

SBB: Well we see you at the very TOP, and we can’t wait to experience your top class beats live very soon! Thank you for your time, and keep up the GREAT work!

Beckwith: Thanks so much for all the kind words! I’d better get back to work… the next Anjunadeep EP is due in just a couple weeks! Also… I may or may not have an announcement about a show I may or may not be headlining in Brooklyn on January 11th… hope to see you there!

Be sure to catch Beckwith at LASALA with Michael Berry, KTLYST, and Cliff Gerdes on Saturday January 11, 2014, in Brooklyn NYC. Time to get back to love with the Deep House Soldier himself.

Written by JazzyJess

Jess has been a writer for SBB since its inception, and has interviewed a multitude of DJ/producers during her career with us, including Paul Oakenfold, Markus Schulz, Ferry Corsten, Morgan Page, Adrian Lux, and Audien, to name a few. What she loves most about EDM is the limitless artistry it nurtures. She has a very eclectic taste in music, and she loves how EDM welcomes all genres into the mix, allowing artists to express their stories completely using the entire spectrum of human emotion that each genre has to offer. Jess believes that like with food, we all have different tastes, but one thing is for certain... Life Is Too Short For Bad Music.